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Horror thriller

Heretic (2024): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Heretic (2024) movie poster

Heretic is a 2024 horror thriller directed by Bryan Woods and Scott Beck, starring Hugh Grant as Mr. Reed, Sophie Thatcher and Carolyn Adair. It runs 1 hour 50 minutes and earned $60 million worldwide on a $10 million budget. It earned 6 award nominations, including Best Actor at the Critics' Choice 2025. Critics gave it 71 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.0/10.

IMDb rating
7.0/10
worldwide gross
$60M
award nominations
6
Echo Score
76
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Heretic (2024) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 50m (110 min)
Directors
Bryan Woods and Scott Beck
Genres
Horror , Thriller
Original language
English
Studio
A24
Budget
$10M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Heretic About?

The premise of Heretic without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Two young missionaries find themselves in a dangerous situation when they encounter the sinister Mr. Reed (Hugh Grant). He lures them into a perilous game of cat-and-mouse, forcing them to confront the limits of their faith.

Heretic Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • mormon
  • atheist
  • psychological horror
  • suspense mystery
  • survival horror
  • theology
  • religion
  • psychological thriller
  • basement
  • reference to radiohead
  • blueberry pie
  • reference to the hollies
+38 more
  • human in a cage
  • theological discussion
  • religious debate
  • theological debate
  • latter day saints
  • door to door evangelist
  • birth control implant
  • trapped in a house
  • book of mormon
  • cynic
  • monopoly the board game
  • reference to hardee's
  • resurrection
  • cat and mouse
  • reference to monopoly the game
  • stabbed in the stomach
  • throat slit
  • stabbed in the throat
  • comparative religions
  • butterfly
  • near death experience
  • iteration
  • reference to a prophet
  • reference to joseph smith
  • trapped in a basement
  • mormon church
  • religious fanatic
  • body in the basement
  • dead woman on floor
  • reference to polygamy
  • fascination with death
  • thanatology
  • psychological control
  • cutting off finger
  • psychological horror game
  • naivete
  • heretic
  • zealot
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Cast & crew

Heretic Cast & Characters

Hugh Grant leads the cast as Mr. Reed, with Sophie Thatcher as Sister Barnes and Carolyn Adair as Driver with Car. Directed by Bryan Woods and Scott Beck; 9 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Heretic

· 5 more
From the directors

More from Bryan Woods and Scott Beck

More films directed by Bryan Woods and Scott Beck, best-rated first: Haunt, 65 and Nightlight.

Ratings

Heretic Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Heretic 71 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.0/10. Our Echo Score gives it 76/100, strongest in character & emotion (88) and weakest in rewatch factor (60).

76 /100

Heretic Echo Score Breakdown

Heretic delivers a potent blend of unsettling atmosphere and committed performances, though its narrative momentum feels uneven at times. Critics and users alike highlight the film’s tense psychological framework and provocative thematic underpinnings, even as plot holes and red herrings disrupt its flow. The visual storytelling and scares earn consistent praise, but the pacing and resolution divide opinion. Overall, Heretic stands out for its immersive horror elements and charismatic leads, tempered by structural inconsistencies.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 75

    In terms of art and craft, Heretic offers deliberate visual composition and responsive direction. Reviews note the film’s measured pacing in shot selection and shifts in style that underscore its psychological tension. The production design effectively situates the action in claustrophobic settings, and editing choices heighten suspense. The overall craft is competent and thematically aligned, though it rarely ventures into truly innovative territory.

  • Character & Emotion 88

    When it comes to character and emotion, Heretic benefits from strong lead and supporting performances. Hugh Grant’s transformation into a diabolical figure earns consistent commendation, and the actors portraying the sisters draw attention for their authenticity and chemistry. Emotional stakes remain high throughout, as viewers connect with each character’s conflict. The film’s cast anchors its provocative inquiry into faith, making character work its most reliable asset.

  • Story & Flow 65

    Regarding story and flow, Heretic presents an engaging premise explored through cat-and-mouse dynamics and provocative dialogue. Early scenes establish momentum and thematic tension, though critics note occasional plot holes and an overreliance on red herrings. The narrative’s supernatural turn earns intrigue but also creates uneven pacing, particularly in the latter half. Ultimately, the story captivates through its ideas but loses cohesion toward the resolution.

  • Sensory Experience 82

    In terms of sensory experience, Heretic excels at generating a sustained sense of dread through sound design and visual style. Several reviewers describe lingering unease after viewing, attributing it to the unsettling score and meticulous atmospheric effects. The cinematography favors a restrained yet haunting palette that reinforces the psychological horror. Overall, the film’s audiovisual elements consistently amplify tension and leave a memorable imprint.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    When considering rewatch factor, Heretic offers moments of thematic depth and strong performances that invite further examination. The film’s provocative ideas and visual details may reward a second viewing, yet narrative inconsistencies and an ambiguous ending can lessen its lasting appeal. While certain scenes reveal added nuance on repeat, the overall experience may remain more compelling on a first encounter than in subsequent viewings.

Plot

Heretic Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Heretic from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 5-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The film begins with two Mormon missionaries, Sister Barnes and Sister Paxton, engaging in a rather unconventional debate about pornography. Their discussion arises when Paxton admits to feeling a twinge of sympathy for an actress featured in a video she watched. With their mission to convert others to their faith, the duo sets out into the local community, eager to spread their beliefs. However, on their way, they encounter a trio of teenage girls who cruelly embarrass Paxton by yanking down her skirt to see if she indeed has “magic underwear.” This incident adds to Paxton’s concerns about the ridicule their religion faces, yet Barnes appears unfazed.

Full summary

The whole story of Heretic, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Heretic Box Office & Budget

Heretic grossed $60 million worldwide on a $10 million budget, 6.0 times what it cost. $28 million came from the US and Canada and $32.1 million (53%) from the rest of the world.

2024 box office

Worldwide gross

$60M

6.0× its budget

US & Canada
$28M
International
$32.1M
Budget
$10M
US & Canada 47% Rest of the world 53%
Awards

Heretic Awards & Nominations

Heretic earned 6 award nominations, including Best Actor at the Critics' Choice 2025. The 6 nominations come from 6 ceremonies.

6 nominations6 ceremonies

Show all 6 ceremonies
Videos

Heretic Trailers & Videos

17 videos: 3 trailers, 4 teasers, 6 clips and 4 featurettes.

All 17 videos
Official Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer 2
  • Trailer Official Trailer 3
  • Teaser UK TV Spot
  • Teaser UK TV Spot 2
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Heretic?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What do Sister Barnes and Sister Paxton discuss at the beginning of the film?

Details

Heretic Also Known As

27 alternative titles, including “Hereje” and “مرتد”.

Also known as
  • Hereje
  • مرتد
  • ملحد
  • 异教徒
  • 異教詭屋
  • 異端者の家
  • Hérésie
  • Heretiku
  • Heretic (Hereje)
  • Sapkın, ერეტიკოსი
  • Kẻ Dị Giáo
  • Єретик
+15 more
  • 헤레틱
  • Heretyk
  • Heretic - Epäuskoinen
  • Herege
  • Heretik
  • פחד אלוהים
  • Eretikas
  • Еретик
  • Eretnek
  • Kafir
  • Јеретик
  • Eretic: Labirintul morții
  • Ketser
  • บ้านสั่งตาย
  • 門逃

Seen Heretic?

FAQ

Heretic FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Heretic, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Heretic?

Heretic runs 1 hour 50 minutes (110 minutes).

When was Heretic released?

Heretic was released on November 8, 2024.

Who directed Heretic?

Heretic was directed by Bryan Woods and Scott Beck.

More films by Bryan Woods

Who is in the cast of Heretic?

Heretic stars Hugh Grant as Mr. Reed, Sophie Thatcher as Sister Barnes and Carolyn Adair as Driver with Car, among 9 credited actors.

How much did Heretic make at the box office?

Heretic grossed $60 million worldwide ($28 million domestic, $32.1 million international) on a budget of $10 million.

How is Heretic rated?

Heretic has 7.0/10 on IMDb, 71 on Metacritic and 70% on TMDB.

Was Heretic nominated for any awards?

Heretic received 6 nominations across 6 ceremonies.

Does Heretic have a post-credit scene?

No. Heretic has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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